Stretch of M54 remains closed following lorry fire near Cosford

A stretch of the M54 in Shropshire remains closed for emergency works following a lorry fire.

Fire crews have rushed to the M54 westbound between Junction 3 (Cosford) and Junction 4 (Telford) shortly after 7pm yesterday evening (August 11) after a lorry transporting hay caught on fire.

Firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service were on scene tackling the flames, which has now been extinguished.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “This incident involved approximately 70 tonnes of hay being transported on a lorry.

“Fire Service personnel extinguished the fire using 4 hose reel jets and 1 main jet. Police and Highways Agency were also in attendance to facilitate the closure of the motorway.”

National Highways: West Midlands has now confirmed the road remains closed while the recovery crews are on scene and emergency resurfacing works are completed.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “The road remains closed westbound between J3 Cosford & J4 Telford due to a lorry fire. Recovery & clean up crews are on scene.

“Emergency resurfacing will need take place.”

There are currently 10 minute delays and one mile of congestion on the approach.

A diversion route is also in place. This is as follows:

• Exit the M54 westbound at J3 and take the third exit onto the A41 northbound.
• Continue on the A41 northbound until the junction with the A5 Pickmere Roundabout
• Turn left onto the A5 westbound (Watling Street) and continue on the A5 until the A4640 Limekiln Bank Roundabout
• Turn left at the roundabout and join the A4640 Castle Farm Way southbound
• Continue onward until the M54 J4 Castle Farm Roundabout to then re-join the M54 westbound by taking the 4th exit.

For more information visit the National Highways website.